Tools
1/4" Ratchet
10 mm Socket (deep socket better)
12 mm Socket
1/4 socket
S3 square head socket
Pliers
Tin Snips or Wire Cutters
Dremel or similar tool
Grinding wheels for Dremel
Sandpaper
Small Fine Toothed Saw
Materials
Wire Mesh - I used mesh for gutter protection (No other mesh was available on short notice)
Plastic Paint - I used Rust-Oleum
Primer for Mesh* - Optional - I used Rust-Oleum
Paint for Mesh* - Optional - I used Rust-Oleum
Bondo - Not sure of what brand, I haven't done it yet...lol I will update
Epoxy - preferably fast dring
Process
I don't have pics of some of this due to the fact I started outside in the rain and finally got some garage space to work in.
I will update as I get pics.
First thing to do is remove the snap plugs that you see in the top of the grill along with the two rubber stoppers. The plug have a small circle that you can pry up with a screwdriver or use pliers like I did. Once you get the center up then just pull them out.
Next you want to pull off the hood latch mechanism. it will get in your way the whole time if you don't. There are 3 bolts that hold it in. The bolts are 12 mm and are circled in the pic. When you get it off just put in in the engine bay to get it out of the way.
Now that the latch is out of the way, there are two more bolts to get that are located on the inside of the grill at the bottom. They go through the grill into the foam under the grill (I am waiting for approval from someone on another site who has great pics of these bolts to use his pictures)Finally remove the bowtie with the 1/4" inch ratchet and 12 mm socket.
Now comes the interesting part. There are tabs that have to be unclipped to get the grill out. In the following pic I have the grill unhooked but still in there so you can see where they are. To get them out, I folded small pieces of cardboard and stuffed the cardboard in the front of the grill where the tabs are to keep them from reattaching.
When you get the tabs unhooked then pull the grill out, it will take some wiggling to get it out. A good piece of advise is to practice getting it back in to prevent damage to the paint when you re-install it. Now you have a big open space in the bumper...I circled on this also where the tabs are.
Now that you have the grill out, it is time to start removing the slats.
My wife sneaked a pic of me sawing away...
Notice the state of the art work bench...
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I used a small saw to remove the slats up to 1/2 inch from the side and then a Dremel with grinding wheel to get the rest off. You are going to scratch and possibly gouge the side of the grill while doing this, it is to be expected. After you get the pieces out then you are left with this.
Now take your sandpaper (250 - 500 grit) and sand the areas where you hit the grill with the grinder. Get them semi smooth. Clean the areas where you sanded and use the Bondo to smooth it out. I didn't do it so I don't have pics,
I will update.